Steering mechanism for vehicles



H. L. WEYERS STEERING MECHANISM FOR'VEHICLES Oct. 11, 1927.

Filed Jan. 15. 1926 Wm M W frfimw Patented Oct. 11, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs.

HOWARD L. WEYERS, OF NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 AUTO WHEEL COASTER COMPANY, INC., OF NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK, A GOR- PORATION or NEW YORK.

i STEERING MECHANISM FOR VEHICLES.

Application filed January This invention relates to a steering mechanism for vehicles and more particularly to a steering mechanism for childrens .cars

or wagons. o

It is the object of'this invention to provide a steering mechanism for this purpose which is simple and durable in construction, low in cost capable of easily operating and not liable to get out of order.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1, is a side elevation of my improved steering mechanism.

Figure 2, is a vertical transverse section thereof taken on line 22 Fig. 1.

Figure 3, is a horizontal section taken on line 33, Fig. 2.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

The numeral represents the steering head of the vehicle which in the present instance is made of wood and forms the front end of the body or frame of a toy car such as commonly used by small children for riding purposes.

On the central part of this head is mounted a bearing which is preferably of the roller type and comprises an upright bearing tube 11 mounted at its lower end in a recess 12, in the head and having its upper end project above the head, and a plu rality of bearing rollers 13 engaging their outer sides with the bore of said tube.

Extending through said head and bearing is an upright steering post the upper part 14 of which is round and engages with the inner sides of the bearing rollers so that the post is journaled in the steering head. The bearing is supported by a holder which consists of a collar 15 surrounding the up per end of the bearing tube and an annular flange 16 projecting laterally from the lower end of the tube and secured to the top of the steering head by a plurality of rivets 17 or similar fastenings.

Dust is prevented from entering the bearing by a dust cap having a horizontal top 18 surrounding the steering post and ar ranged over the bearing and a cylindrical flange 19 depending from this top and surrounding the upper part of the collar of the bearing holder so as to overhang the same and form a dust tight joint therewith. The upper part of the steering post is sur- 15, 1926. Serial No. 81,464.

rounded by atubular column 20 which gages its lower end with the dust cap;

Below the steering head is arranged a ably formed integrally therewith, and a lower horizontal cross bar 23 arranged below the upper bar 22 and provided at its ends with vertical lugs 24 which are secured by rivets 25 to the inner faces of the side pieces. The corresponding central parts of the cross bars are provided with openings 26, 27 which receive the lower part 28 of the steering post, the latter being secured n said openings with a driving fit and having its lower end upset against the underside of the lower cross bar 23, as shown at 29, and said post and fork being compelled to turn together by making the post angular in cross section, as shown in Fig. 3, and making the openings in the cross bars which receive the lower end of the post of corresponding angular form.

In order to take up the vertical thrust between the fork and steering head a fifth wheel or thrust bearing is provided which is preferably constructed as follows The numeral 30 represents an upper disk of metal which is secured to the under side of the steering head preferably by the same rivets 17 which fasten the bearing holder to the steering head. Engaging with the underside of the upper disk is an intermediate metal disk 31 which is secured thereto and to the steering head by nails 32 passing upwardly through the upper and'intermediate disks. The latter is provided with an annular downwardly projecting centerin rib or head 33, the upper concave side 0 which receives the heads 34 at the lower ends of the rivets 17 whereby the latter are not only concealed but also produce a compact and strong construction.

Below the intermediate disk is arranged a lower metal disk 35 which is secured to the top of the upper cross bar of the fork by rivets 36 and is provided on itsupper side with an annular inwardly faclng shoulder 37 which engages with the outer side of the centering bead or rib, thereby forming awide fifth wheel bearing between the fork and head which reliably holds these parts against tipping relatively to each other. The several disks are provided centrally with openings which receive the steering post thereby further holding these parts against displacement from their central position.

I claim as my invention 1. A steering mechanism for a vehicle comprising a head, a fork arranged below the head, a steering post projecting upwardly from the fork and journaled on said head, and a fifth wheel interposed between said fork and head and comprising an upper disk secured to the underside of said head, an intermediate disk engaging the underside of said upper disk and secured to the same and said bead and provided with an annular centering head, and a lower disk secured to the upper end of said fork and provided with an annular shoulder, which is engaged by said centering bead.

2. A steering mechanism for a vehicle comprising ahead, a bearing mounted on said head and projecting upwardly therefrom, a steering post journaled on said bearing, a steering fork mounted on the lower end of said post, a bearing holder having a collar surrounding the upper end of said bearing and provided at itslower end with a flange which is secured to the top of said head, a dust cap surrounding the post and overhanging the collar, and a steering column surrounding said post and engaging said dust cap.

HOWVARD L. WEYERS. 

